Machine for reshaping crown-corks



Nu. 6|7,277. Patented Jan. 3, H899.

H. W. CAMPBELL. MACHINE FOR RESHAPING CROWN CORKS. (Application filed Sept. 2, 1898.)

(No Model.)

" wanton k ZertWQmrhil,

- llnurnn dramas Parnnrr Cri ics.

HERBERT \V. CAMPBELL, OF CLINTON, IOXVA.

MACHINE FOR RESHAPING CROWN-CORKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,277, dated January 3, 1899.

Application filed September 2,1898. Serial No. 690,121. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HERBERT W. CAMPBELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clinton, in the countyof Clinton and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Reshaping Crown- Corks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improved device for reshaping crown-corks used for stoppering bottles; and it has for its object to provide an improved machine by means of which the crown-corks which have been used for stopporing bottles may be reshaped, so as to render them fit to be again used.

To this end my invention consists in the features and in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims following the description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improvedshaping device. Fig. 2 is detail sectional view showing the used crown-cork in place in the female die in readiness to be shaped. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the crown-cork pressed between the two dies, and Fig. 4 is a similar View showing the crowncork reshaped and the ejector in the act of ejecting the cap from the female die.

Crown-corks now in common use for stopperin g bottles consist of a metallic cup-shaped cap having crimped edges and provided with a layer of cork fitted within the cap. These caps, known on the market as crown-corks, are forced over the mouth of the bottle by an appropriate machine in such manner that the cork tightly fits the edge of the mouth of the bottle and is held to its seat thereon by the crimped edges of the cap engaging a shoulder formed on the bottle-neck. hen the cap is removed from the bottle, it cannot again be used unless the crimped edge of the cap be first expanded or spread out, so as to be in readiness to be again contracted around the neck of the bottle; and it is the purpose of the present invention to so expand or reshape the caps in order that they may be again used, and this I accomplish by means of the improved machine which I will now describe.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the base of the machine, having cast integrally therewith an upright arm or standard 2, provided at its extremity with a barrel 3. Arranged to reciprocate within said barrel is a plunger 4, forked or bifurcated at its upper end and pivotally connected by a bolt 5 to a hand-lever 6. Said lever at one end is pivoted to the upper ends of two links 7, and the links at their lower ends are pivoted to a lug or car 8, formed on the arm 2. The plunger 4 at its lower end carries a male die 9, which is adapted to coact with a correspond ing female die 10, formed on the base 1. The female die has a circular recess 11 of just a sufficient size to receive a crown-cork and is flared outwardly at its upper edge, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, while the male die has a corresponding boss 12, that is adapted to snugly fit the inside of the crown-cork, and is also provided with a smooth concaved or rounded groove or channel 13, disposed immediately above the boss and surrounding the latter. An aperture 14 is formed centrally in the female die 10, and passing through said aperture is a rod 15, that is bent back upon itself and passes up through an aperture 10, formed in the base 1. The upper end of the rod is threaded, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, and passes through a hole formed in the bolt 5. Nuts 17 are tapped over the threaded end of the rod above and below the bolt, and by means of these nuts the ejector-rod 15 may be vertically adjusted. As most clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the faces of the two dies are perfectly smooth, and their relative sizes are such that the male die may fit within the female die, with a crown-cork disposed between the two. 7

The operation of my improved machine is as follows: A crown-cork that has been used is placed in the female die and the lever 6 is depressed, forcing the male die 9 down within the crown-cork. Then the male die is forced within the crown-cork, the boss 12 smooths, presses out, and flattens the layer of cork within the cap, and the smooth and concaved groove 13 expands and flares outwardly the crimped edge of the cap, thus reshaping the crown-cork and putting it in readiness to be again contracted over the end of the bottleneck. Inasmuch as both dies are perfectly smooth no care need be exercised in pressing the crown-cork in the female die, and as the downward movement of the male die is arrested by the layer of cork the rounded concaved portion 13 after pressing out or flaring the crimped edge of the cap is prevented from stamping out or injuring the crimps. After having reshaped the crowncork the lever 6 is raised, Withdrawing the male die. The ejector-rod 15 by this movement is also raised, forcing the reshaped crown-cork from out the female die, as clearly indicated in Fig. 4.

By means of the improved machine described crown-corks may be reshaped and repeatedly used. The machine is simple, inexpensive, and very rapid in operation.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a device for reshaping crown-corks for bottles, the combination with a female die having a smooth circular recess, of a male die having a smooth circular boss and a smooth rounded or concaved groove or channel surrounding and disposed above said boss, and means for forcing said dies together, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

2. In a device for reshaping crown-corks for bottles the combination with a base provided with a female die, of a lever pivotally connected with said base, a plunger actuated by said lever and provided with a male die arranged to coact with the female die, and an ejector adjnstably connected to said plunger and operatin g to eject the reshaped crowncork when the plungeris raised, substantially as described.

3. In a device for reshaping crown-corks for bottles, the combination with a base provided with a centrally-apertured female die, of a lever pivotally connected With said base, a plunger actuated by said lever and provided with a male die arranged to coact With the female die, and an ejector-rod connected at one end with said plunger-rod and provided at its other end with an upturned portion fitting within the central aperture in the female die, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HERBERT W. CAMPBELL.

Witnesses:

J. H. VVALLIKER, ARNOLD W. WALLIKER. 

